About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Staying with Bunnahabhain, an 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Finish

I love the effect a good Pedro Ximénez cask has on whisky. I think its interplay with the spirit is beautiful, sometimes to the point of usurping the whisky in favor of an almost syrupy sweetness (Not unlike the GlenDronach 21 reviewed here). The effect is lessened, of course, in non first fill barrels and in finishes, and a PX finish is what we have on hand.

Photo Credit: Shai Gilboa

Shai Gilboa is a whisky (and wine) connoisseur, gifted photographer (he took the picture of Bunnahabhain above), Islay buff and all around great guy (@sgilboa). One of his most prized bottles is the 2010 Feis Ile festival bottling from Bunnahabhain, and I was lucky to have enjoyed this beautiful expression twice. Slainte, Shai, and thanks!

Palate: Sweet spices with pepper on the tongue, with sweet wine-y notes.

Linger: Sweetness then spice dominates the back of the throat, while tartness takes over the sides of the tongue. Long linger.

Conclusion

This is a lovely Feis Ile limited edition, in a much smaller batch than the 16 Year Old Manzanilla Sherry finish I reviewed here. Obviously, it’s sweeter than both the regular expressions and the Manzanilla finished expression, and is all around a delight.